BOARD OF HEALTH
Town Hall, Hudson, Massachusetts 01749
Telephone: (978) 562-2020
Meeting Minutes
September 14, 2005, 7:30 P.M.
1.0 Preliminaries
1.1. Dale Nadeau opened the meeting at 7:32 PM.
1.2. Roll Call: Chairman Dale Nadeau, Vice Chairman James Saart and Clerk Dan Ehntholt. Also in attendance Health Agent Sam Wong and Health Administrator Katrina Proctor.
1.3. Additions or deletions to the agenda
2.0 Hearings and Appointments
2.1 Hearing for Tobacco Control Regulations – September 14, 2005
Dale Nadeau opened the hearing to review the proposed amended regulations for tobacco control.
Arthur Gordon stated that he is a smoker a finds that there is relaxation in smoking and stated that the Chinese make these claims.
Bill McClune of the Tobacco Control Collaborative stated that the proposed changes are minor and require permits for tobacco sales. He also noted that a lot of people are dying from second hand smoke and support in a positive way to support the regulations.
DJ Wilson from the Mass. Municipal Association commented on the permit fees established in other towns stating that most fees are $50 - $100. Wilson also noted that a carton of Marlboro cigarettes is over $50.00 and is very profitable for business owners. McClune stated that towns and cities are raising their fees. Worcester traditionally has charged $35.00 for tobacco permits. They usually provide notification to establishments in October requiring new permits by January 1st. Late fees are charge $25.00. Worcester is raising the permit fee to $75.00.
James Saart stated that the Hudson Board of Health is looking to cover administrative costs only. McClune suggested that the Board also consider the costs for the Worcester Collaborative inspections, the point of purchase signs and also the 2-3 visits for compliance checks.
James Saart stated that as an introduction the Board wants the new requirements accepted by small business owners with the emphasis on education and the importance of the sale of tobacco products. He continued that the Board wants to introduce this as easy as it can be. Saart noted that the Board had recently discussed a $25.00 permit fee.
Chairman Dale Nadeau stated his support of the regulations noting that they will improve adequate local records and if we do have an issue we have the local means of revoking the permit. He stated that suspension of a license has become more important and it sends a message whereas a fine can be nothing to a large company.
Arthur Gordon suggested the Board of Health charge $100 for the tobacco permit. He also stated 350 million people smoke cigarettes in China. He continued that half die young and half live long lives. He stated that in Lebanon you can buy cigarettes at any age.
James Saart made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Dan Ehntholt with all in favor.
Dan Ehntholt made a motion to adopt the revised tobacco control regulations as proposed to be effective January 1, 2006, seconded by James Saart with all in favor. Motion passed.
James Saart made a motion to establish the calendar year FY’06 at $25.00 per permit as an introductory fee, seconded by Dan Ehntholt with all in favor.
The Board discussed that notification of the newly adopted regulations be posted in the newspaper and then a letter will be sent to the establishments involved with the sale of cigarettes.
Bill McClune stated that he would send a copy of Worcester’s application packet, sample letters and permits. He also noted that the City of Worcester website has a summary of the tobacco permit and a copy of DOR’s permit.
Bill McClune gave the Board notices to be place where tobacco products are sold.
2.2 Application for License to install sewage disposal system – Demers Construction
Dan Ehntholt made a motion to issue the license to install sewage disposals systems to Demers Construction, seconded by James Saart with all in favor.
3.0 Minutes
3.1 James Saart made a motion to approve the minutes of August 25, 2005 as presented, seconded by Dan Ehntholt with all in favor.
4.0 Vouchers – Dan Ehntholt made a motion to approve the vouchers for Microbac and VNA totaling $415.00, seconded by James Saart with all in favor.
4.1 Microbac 8/23, 8/30 @ $20.00 = $40.00
4.2 VNACare Network - $375.00 August Bill
5.0 Review Septic Permits
5.1 Lot #3 Shay Rd. – DPW Comments – all aspects in compliance with Title V.
James Saart made a motion to issue the septic permit to Lot #3 Shay Rd., seconded by Dan Ehntholt. Discussion on the motion. Dan Ehntholt would like to ask the engineer to explain the locus.
Vote was taken.
James Saart in favor of the motion.
Dan Ehntholt in opposition of the motion.
Dale Nadeau in opposition of the motion.
Vote 1-2-0 Motion failed.
Dan Ehntholt made a motion to table the approval of Lot #3 Shay Rd. until feedback from the engineer, DPW or the Health Agent regarding the locus map until October 5, 2005, seconded by Dale Nadeau with all in favor. Motion Passed.
5.2 374 River Road – DPW Comments – all aspects in compliance with Title V.
James Saart made a motion to issue the septic permit for 374 River Rd., seconded by Dan Ehntholt with all in favor.
6.0 General Business
6.1 Planning Board Request for Review and Comments re: Highland Commons, Coolidge St. The Board would like to provide a comment to the Planning Board stating that the project will fall under DEP jurisdiction for an on-site disposal system. In addition, they added that according to the subdivision control law the submission is incomplete if it is not given to the Board of Health at the time it is filed.
6.2 Planning Board Request for Review and Comments re: Site Plan Review Lots 1 & 2 Coolidge St. The Board stated no issue and no comment on the proposal.
6.3 Planning Board Request for Review and Comments re: Preliminary Subdivision Plan Pine View. The Board stated no issue and no comment on the proposal.
6.4 Discuss ESRI licensing – Sam Wong will ask other towns what they are doing about maintenance agreements. The Town of Hudson has 10 licenses for ESRI. Wong will also ask the IT Department if we have maintenance agreements.
7.0 Correspondence – All correspondence noted.
7.1 MA DEP Inspection Form for a Singulair wastewater treatment system at 155 Forest Ave.
7.2 DPH Memorandum – individual varicella cases reported to mass. Immunization Program July 2004-December 2004
7.3 MHOA – received a grant from DPH to establish a Tobacco Control Program. Annual Educational Conference Nov. 2 – 5.
7.4 Fall 2005 Grant - Metro West Community Health Care Foundation
7.5 PUBLIC SECTOR PARTNERS, INC. – Nonprofit health care management administration of flu vaccine.
7.6 DECTAM Corporation – Environmental Specialist – (asbestos abatement, lead removal, microbial cleaning, removing bat/bird excretment).
7.7 Woodward & Curran’s publication entitled directions
7.8 Mass DPH re: Update regarding Mass. Smoke-Free Workplace Law
7.9 Mass DEP re: BWP report of Inspection
8.0 Health Agent’s Report
8.1 Sam Wong stated that he is almost finished with the EDS and will submit copies to each member for review. The distribution will be controlled and numbered. He noted that the work has taken about 2 months with help from the regional nurse. Bill McClune noted that Worcester has a CD Rom/DVD computer reality EDS site and noted that there is funding through a mini-grant.
9.0 Administrator Report
9.1 Proctor updated the Board on the ITC Meeting regarding Wind River. Tony Marques, DPW Supervisor was very much in favor of Wind River moving to the new location which is outside of the watershed protection district. Freddy Dusseault had serious concerns about the underground storage of sewage and reminded the Board that it was Chief Dusseault that asked the Board of Health to attend the meeting. The Police Department was in agreement with Tony Marques. Proctor represented the Board of Health and noted that the there is a history of odor complaints from residents in the existing location and explained Board is concerned very concerned with the new location given that a neighbor will be Simrah Gardens which will house approximately 600 people and would sit between the new
proposed mall on Rt. 62/Coolidge St. and Simrah Gardens on Central Street. In addition Proctor reported that potential leakage and spillage is also a concern for the Board of Health.
10.0 Pending
10.1 Memorandum of Understanding
10.2 Nondisclosure Agreement, Emergency Preparedness
11.0 Advertisements and Conferences (NOTED)
11.1 Katrina Proctor to attend American Public Health Association Annual Meeting
Meeting re-scheduled to Philadelphia December 10 – December 14th.
12.0 Commentary
12.1 The Board will cancel the meetings scheduled for September 28 and October 12 and hold a meeting on October 5th.
13.0 Adjournment
James Saart made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 PM, seconded by Dan Ehntholt with all in favor.
Minutes respectfully submitted by:
________________________________ ____________________________
Katrina Proctor, Administrator Dan Ehntholt, Clerk
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